Te Akau Hastings' Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing on Thursday 11 May at Hastings.

As on Wednesday 10 May the conditions were: cloudy and Dead5, rail out 5.5 metres. 7mls rain forecast midnight to 6 p.m. race day.

2.00 p.m. R5 17 Gardenier (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Miss Montjeu) - Cameron Lammas; made ground from third last in the Rating 65 1600 metres here on 29 May, and although finishing four lengths from the winner she ran the third fastest final 600m (34.8). Stepping up in distance for the first time, in the $10,000 Rating 65 2100 metres, she gives the impression in her style of racing that it could be appreciated. Lammas has a good record aboard and a bold performance in what looks a solid field would bode well for future staying assignments.

2.00 p.m. R5 19 Amperage (4 g Zabeel - Miss Zapper) - Michael McNab; requires a further defection to gain a start in the $10,000 Rating 65 2100 metres. He reverts from a stronger Saturday field at his previous start, won his Maiden going left-handed over 2100 metres on Good3 footing and is certainly capable of an improved showing.

2.35 p.m. R6 5 Rocksun (4 g Fastnet Rock - Beyond the Sunset) - Michael McNab; resumes off 169 days in the $10,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, after finishing strongly for fourth in the second of two preparatory trials with McNab aboard on 24 April at Taupo. A winner of two from three starts through May and June last season, both on slow footing, he has the ability to prove competitive in this field.

4.19 p.m. R9 2 Bishop Rock (4 g Fastnet Rock - Festival Princess) - Michael McNab; has had the benefit of three trials and resumes off a lengthy spell in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. A dominant Maiden winner over a mile as a three-year-old, prior to contesting the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) won by stable-mate Xtravagant (Pentire), he shaped as a staying horse with promise following consecutive seconds over 2000 metres when last campaigned. Although drawn wide, he has the gate speed to take up a handy position.

4.19 p.m. R9 16 Smoke House Bay (4 m Eighth Wonder - Makesmewonder) - Cameron Lammas; was both awkwardly and very slowly away when taking no part in the Rating 65 1400 metres last Friday at Pukekohe but has since jumped out fine from the gates with Lammas aboard and is ready to contest the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Her prior form was very good and she receives an ideal opportunity to bounce back from barrier four.

4.19 p.m. R9 19 Foreigner (3 g Savabeel - Pins on Ice) - rider to be advised; worked home solidly on slow ground in a pretty strong field for the 3YO 1400 metres on 22 April at Ellerslie, having resumed with two tidy efforts in Rating 65 1400-metre races at Pukekohe. Requiring a further defection to gain a start, he has the ability to threaten with luck from a wide draw.